Crutch



G. D. BURDIGK.

(No Model.)

GRUTGH.

Patented July 7, 1 896.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE D. BURDICK, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN.

CRUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 563,358, dated July '7,1896.

Application filed a h 27,, 1896.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE D. BUEnIcK, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Madison, in the county of Dane and State ofWVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inArm-Cushions for Crutches; and I do declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

The invention relates to improvements in arm-cushions for crutches.

The invention consists in a novel construction of inflatable cushion toform the bearing surface of the crutch-head provided with sockets formedintegral with the cushion adapted to slip over the ends of the armpiece.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of acrutch-head, showing the longitudinal groove therein to form a recessfor the inflatable cushion. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a crutch-head,showing the improved inflatable cushion applied thereto. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the inflatable cushion detached. p

The inflatable cushion A is preferably made of soft rubber and inoutline in substantially the form of the ordinary crutch-head, and inthe present instance is shown provided at each end with a socket B,formed integral with the cushion, for fitting over or engaging the endsof the permanent crutch-head O. I

The cushions maybe inflated in the process of manufacture or may beprovided with the Serial No. 585,077. (No model.)

ordinary valve to permit the same to be inflated at will, the last-namedmeans being the most desirable, inwhich case the valve could extendthrough a central perforation in the crutch-head, as shown at E, so asnot to be in the way of the user in any manner.

The cushion may, if found desirable, be covered with leather'or othermaterial.

The cushion is adapted to be applied to any crutch-head, but it ispreferred to provide the head with a longitudinal groove D,substantially as shown in Fig. 1, so that the cushion shall rest thereinfor a portion of or the entire length of the head.

Other means may be employed for connecting or attaching the cushion tothe crutchhead, and the same may be attached to heads composed of anymaterial, as will be readily understood, it being only necessary wherethe sockets are employed to first slip one socket over'one end of thehead and then elongate the cushion to allow of its being slipped overthe other end.

The cushion may be inflated with air or otherwise, as shall be foundmost desirable' Having now described the invention, what is claimed asnew, and sought to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

An inflatable cushion to form the bearingsurface of the crutch-headprovided with sockets formed integral with the cushion and adapted toslip over the ends of the armpiece, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE D. BURDICK.

Witnesses:

JAMES B. KERR, WILLIAM E. Foes.

